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ON AIR special edition: 24th Session of the Congress

ON AIR special edition: 24th Session of the Congress[25/03/2013]

On Air, the Council of Europe’s weekly news programme, looked this week at the 24th Session of the Congress local and regional authorities. Herwig Van Staa, President of the Congress, outlined the role of local and regional governments in tackling the European crisis. Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council, explains that the direct election of regional representatives was brought in in Russia to accommodate the growing desire of the Russian people to participate in politics. Finally,'' ON AIR'' returns to the debate, which was held on 20 March, on how to put an end to the exclusion of Roma in Europe. In the video, Andreas Kiefer, Secretary-General of the Congress, underlines the reasons for this discussion. As an example of effective Roma integration, Mr Darko Rudas, President of the Forum of Roma councillors of Slovenia, highlights measures brought in, in his country, which guarantee that the Roma population is suitably represented.